The Importance of Internal Linking for SEO

Internal linking is a simple yet complicated topic for search engine optimization (SEO). While it's easy to understand, the process, theory, and best practices can be complex. However, no one denies the importance of internal linking. It is a powerful SEO technique, especially for content marketing. In this article, we'll focus on how to use internal linking to improve content marketing.

What is Internal Linking?

An internal link connects one page of a website to another page on the same site. The source and target domains are the same in an internal link.

Why is Internal Linking Important?

Internal linking has three primary purposes. It aids website navigation, defines site architecture and hierarchy, and distributes page authority and ranking power throughout the website. In this article, we'll focus on how internal linking spreads authority and rank throughout multiple pages of a website.

Theory Behind Internal Linking

Internal linking strengthens the overall search-optimized value of a website. It provides clear paths for search engine crawlers, prolonged sessions for website visitors, and a tightly-knit network of pages and posts.

Seven Commandments of Internal Linking for Top-Notch SEO

1. Create lots of content to have lots of linkable pages. A successful internal linking strategy starts with a killer content marketing strategy.
2. Use a simple internal linking strategy that naturally links pages. Creating happy links to helpful places is what matters, not complicated organizational charts.
3. Use appropriate anchor text. Avoid using generic terms such as "click here."
4. Link relevant content. Linking pages that are relevant to each other will improve website navigation and user experience.
5. Link deep to shallow. Linking from a high-level page to a lower-level page distributes authority and ranking power effectively.
6. Use descriptive and concise URLs.
7. Use internal links sparingly. Internal linking should not disrupt user experience or webpage design.

Remember that internal linking is a continuous process, and it's essential to track how pages are performing and adjust the strategy accordingly. Start by creating a content marketing strategy and use the seven commandments to improve internal linking for top-notch SEO.